Garden State Trout

Pictures above have been a common sight all year: fallen trees. Places like Dunnfield and middle/upper VCB are nearly impossible to fish in many spots. Trails have been cleared but many fallen hemlocks remain lined up like hurdles over the streams. It really is extraordinary how many trees toppled over. It makes for frustrating fishing. I doubt anybody will ever clear them so they are there to stay. Some will move or be pushed aside but most will not budge. I guess the bright side is the trout are well protected from us two legged predators allowing them to reach some good sizes and the trees will create new pools.

Not sure if it's me. Your pics are not visible, this post and your other.

cappy wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 15, 2018 6:47 pm

Not sure if it's me. Your pics are not visible, this post and your other.

Ditto. And I love Mark's picture, so.....

BiggerThomas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:23 pm

cappy wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 15, 2018 6:47 pm

Not sure if it's me. Your pics are not visible, this post and your other.

Ditto. And I love Mark's picture, so.....

I have the same problem.

I don't have a problem for some reason. Worth viewing for sure.

I'm not able to see the pics either. That aside it's no surprise, albeit very saddening, that most of the old hemlocks are succumbing to the impacts of the wooly adelgids. I have seen many young hemlocks sprouting in areas where the old trees have fallen which is encouraging, however it remains to be seen if they can survive the bugs.
Further, I believe it's going to be interesting to see what impacts these piles of dead hemlocks have on the streams where they occur regarding trout populations. I believe it's possible that in some small headwater streams where the wild brookie pops may already be struggling with the highly acidic waters, the potential drop in stream Ph to an even greater acidic condition may negatively impact reproduction and/or YOY survival, but that's just a theory of mine.

Now I can't see them.

yup, I can't see the either.

NJAngler wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 17, 2018 1:22 pm

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gEpi5rrVuJsWjbXH8

that worked

Now I see the forest through the trees!

Hi, How come when I’m fly fishing there are no trees around but as soon as the trout start to rise all the trees come down along the stream side and all you do is catch trees. Does anyone else have this problem? Everyone have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Bill the mailman. PS. I have not caught the trees moving but I know they do.

Vance wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:23 pm

Hi, How come when I’m fly fishing there are no trees around but as soon as the trout start to rise all the trees come down along the stream side and all you do is catch trees. Does anyone else have this problem? Everyone have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Bill the mailman. PS. I have not caught the trees moving but I know they do.

all the time, that is ... when I'm fishing

In fact, there is a conspiracy in the earth that seeks out your fly no matter the object. The lone piece of driftwood on the beach gets me when at the surf, for example.
Or the clump of reeds along a bass pond. The list is endless. And yes, they all move.

When it comes to stream health, wood is good! But too much is no fun for fishing.

Vance wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:23 pm

Hi, How come when I’m fly fishing there are no trees around but as soon as the trout start to rise all the trees come down along the stream side and all you do is catch trees. Does anyone else have this problem? Everyone have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Bill the mailman. PS. I have not caught the trees moving but I know they do.

I don't have the tree problem...I have a lone stick problem. My back cast is clear except for one lonely twig sticking out of the earth..I'll catch it more than half the time...it is definitely not me, the twig jumps around when I'm not looking!!!